Does a woman have a right to privacy?

Anyway: RE religious liberty and womens access to birth control

my question is:

Why isn't a woman's right to privacy being brought up in this matter? Now the gop (Rubio) plans to try to force the Obama administration to expand exemption to any employer. Does the insurer report to her employer that the employee is using contraceptives?  How will a woman's expectation of privacy be protected? 

Josh Marshall - Talking Points Memo - was a guest on the C-Span show " Q & A" hosted by Brian Lamb on Sunday Feb. 12, 2012. When I visited talkingpointsmemo.com I read two useful items on the contraceptive access issue written by SAHIL KAPUR  


Rubio Bill Lets ANY Employer Deny Birth Control Coverage

Putting The Growing Birth Control Firestorm In Perspective

1st things 1st - feed pets then blog

U.S.
A Washington group is building the Tea Party movement, house by house and yard sign by yard sign.

Shaping Tea Party Passion Into Campaign Force

By KATE ZERNIKE          Published: August 25, 2010

today kind of sucks so far.  
As I was reading this article, my cats, geese, and doggie kept pestering me to give them their morning feed. Which is my own fault because I got them accustomed to being fed first thing.  Get the pets out of the way then the rest of the day will be clear sailing is my theory.  First, the cats kept running in the house every time I stepped outside. Which meant I had to turn around and go find the kitty before I could get on with whatever it was I had intended to do. It was my plan to turn the geese and chickens out and feed them later, (because I had this delicious NY Times article to read and digest ) but the geese were having none of that. The geese came up to the house and stood around at the fence squawking and otherwise exhibiting their peckish attitude. Doggie, Hannah, is under the table pawing my knee every few seconds to insure that I don't forget about her meal.
When I did get to read the article, I was struck by some of the training suggestions - as in - Look for houses with flags, they are instructed; their residents tend to be patriotic conservatives.
My flag flies because in my home we are patriotic Americans.  In fact, if being a tea party conservative means I have to be indoctrinated by the likes of Dick Armey and his flunky stooge trainers I'll pass. What a joke the so called independent tea party is.

There Is No WE There

It cracks me up to hear conservative Republican tax hating citizens of the USA - who, no doubt, take every tax deduction known to their accountants and pay as little as possible to the United States government use the following sentence:
"we pay taxes to the government and expect to see results"
or this one:
"we pay taxes and expect the government to use the money wisely"

What I want to know is, who is the 'WE' they reference?

Why is it non taxpaying conservative Republican citizens want to align themselves with the rest of us when it suits them to use us for cover?

I'd like to hear just one of these non taxpaying conservative Republican citizens say to the public,
"I don't pay as much in taxes as most folks pay, but what I do pay I want to be used wisely."

Paying taxes to the non taxpaying conservative Republican citizens is the same as going to war, 'its OK for the other guy but, don't ask me to serve'.

Gulf Oil Spill

It really isn't fair to blame #43 - Bush for the recent BP oil platform failure, (wikipedia) it isn't Bush personally, what it is, is, the conservative ideology. I've already decided this is another failure of the conservative ideology of limited government, limited regulation, low taxes, corporations are people too, and heckofajobBrownie thought processing.

Health Care Reform comment

Reading CQ Politics "Health Care Ad Wars Heat Up as Recess Begins" by Emily Cadei inspired me to offer this post on that page:

The ads and town hall meetings will serve the Democratic House members well.

One of the things I did not like about the previous administration was the conservative penchant for sacrifice bunts. Home folks right to be heard was too often sacrificed for tactical reasons. conservatives either thought they were above listening to their constituency or else were afraid to hear what the voters had to say. Thus, serious issues were often voted on right before a recess.

I am glad the Democrats are going home to talk about health care reform with their constituents before a vote is taken. It is a great big important issue. It means a lot to us now and will mean even more when a bill is signed into law. We deserve to be heard on the subject. From the news reports I’m reading, conservatives are opposed to everything including allowing us the opportunity to listen to our Representative. conservatives are afraid to let us hear the truth and don’t want us to make up our own minds about health care reform.

So for me, knowing there are Democratic Representatives holding town halls, trying to be heard over the conservative loud mouths, makes me more likely to support health care reform. I look at the loud mouth conservatives who have no idea how to comport themselves in a public forum and I think these folks don’t represent me, nor will they ever represent me.

What if it happened to you?

quote:
I find it very troubling that we have distilled Wright's 35-year ministry to a few phrases; no context whatsoever has been offered or explored.....
by William A. Von Hoene Jr. Chicago Tribune, 3/26/08
Anderson Cooper 360 Blog - has provided some context:

It is a sad fact that Rev. Wright has been used by conservatives to further their aims.
So?
Well, what if it happened to you? How would you defend yourself?

moving on:
I find it troubling to hear Hillary surrogates defend Clinton when they sound like lock step republicans circa 2001 - 2006. We were listening to
Chris Matthews when Joe Sestak was brought on in a segment titled “Grand delusions for Clinton” to defend Clinton. After listening to Joe Sestak I turned to Bill and said this guy not only drank the Kool-Aid, he took a bath in the stuff and he reminds me of all those Republicians who gave Bush everything he wanted.

Caution signal:
I would use the word delusional describing Clinton’s marriage. I mean, if she can convince herself to stay with a man who did that to her - more than once - what else can she delude herself about?
Her election chances maybe?

my own little delusion:
Over Easter weekend I actually thought maybe Clinton was thinking about quitting. If so, I thought, I hope she waits till after the 25th. That way, the cross over, chaos creating Republicans could not change their newly acquired Democratic registration.
She let me down.

Exclusive: Clinton Vows to Push On Time.com by Mark Halperin
Rush to register at Pa. deadline Philadelphia Inquirer By Angela Couloumbis and Kathleen Brady Shea Inquirer Staff Writers
and speaking of Rush:
Will someone tell me why it is OK for a radio announcer to use public airwaves to tell voters to commit an act that might involve breaking the law? Maybe Dan Abrams would like to answer this one. The Verdict Dan vs. Rush MSNBC


Also Reading:
Clinton misspoke about sniper fire CNN Politics.com

Southern Dem warns party to avert disaster Politico

Republicans Switching Sides at Voter Registration Deadline Pittsburgh Post Gazette by Karamagi Rujumba

Pennsylvania Department of State Current Voter Statistics link leads to an Excel document

Senator Obama's March 18th Speech

On March 18th, my husband and I watched Senator Obama offer America a new way to forge our future. We listened quietly as Senator Obama talked about a future rooted in the concepts of justice he grew up believing.

I understand the concept of justice for all. I believe in that concept. I just never put it into words in my thoughts. I lived it though, in small ways. Ways an ordinary woman can demonstrate. Like not following the norm while I was living in the south in the sixties. I never told a black woman to go to the back of the line, I just got in line behind her, which raised eyebrows in 1965. I guess I never really thought about this so completely. I just never thought I was better than anybody because my skin was white.

I thought I understood the dangers of a black man attempting to become the President of the United States. And silly me, I imagined the danger coming from bullets and knives. Many of my friends thought the same. One friend, a black woman, told me she was afraid to support Obama. I encouraged her to not miss the opportunity to help him win. Because win or lose, live or die, his campaign was worth it to him.

In these last few days conservatives have chosen to harpoon the Senator with words. And, NOT EVEN the Senator’s own words. I can hardly believe these conservatives are my fellow Americans. I can hardly believe these conservatives even believe in our Constitution. What part of the Constitution grants them the power to establish a litmus test concerning religion for any Presidential candidate? Remember Mitt Romney’s “Mormon” problem?

Two entities, the angry American and the conservative American have been a part of our society for decades. When the angry American found the microphone owned by the conservatives things changed. conservative radio hosts built an audience around anger and did not condemn injurious language. Bitterly scathing and caustic comment became the radio way of life. In effect, radio stirred the pot and nothing ever changed. Senator Obama threatens these men with his message of change.

There is a powerful effort coming from conservatives to inflict Barack Obama with a mortal wound. The hosts on cable news and radio, compliant to conservative demands, are doing all they can to kick Obama’s message to death. They pick apart the wording, demand Obama condemn his minister. Or, even worse, demand Obama 'get up and walk out of the church' turn his back on the place of worship he chose for himself and his family. Who do these conservatives think they are? Who declared conservatives were our masters?

The freedom to choose our religion is at the core of our American life. conservatives pervert the American Constitution when they name themselves the arbiters of religion. When conservatives grant themselves the power to judge our associations they may as well spit on the document we hold so dear.

excerpts from Obama’s speech:
“... Black anger ..proved counterproductive ... white resentments distracted attention from the real culprits of the middle class squeeze....
... This is where we are right now. It’s a racial stalemate we’ve been stuck in for years.”

Senator Obama is offering us a chance to turn the page.



Reading:

Read Obama’s speech here: C-Span.org

Roger Simon - Politico.com Speech doesn't pander; does it explain?

CQ Politics - Obama: Controversies Shows Need to End Racial Divisions

Jonathan Martin - Politico.com GOP sees Rev. Wright as pathway to victory

National Archives The Charters of Freedom

RE: Republicans Voting for Clinton

Have you heard that Republicans are voting for Clinton? Supposedly Republicans demonstrated their displeasure with McCain by casting a vote for Clinton. Apparently the conservative radio talk show hosts came up with this slick idea.
Which has something in it for everyone. The unassuageable conservative radio guys get to rant about how McCain isn't good enough for them. The unassuageable conservative voters get to show their displeasure by voting for Clinton. And having had their vent will be ready to get back in line in November. When, if this works and Clinton wins the Democratic nomination, will guarantee a big conservative Republican turnout in November.
Which, will help McCain, the guy they all say isn't good enough for them.

In my voting precinct 142 Democratic ballots were cast.
Clinton = 93 -- Edwards = 4 -- Obama = 45

And 148 Republican ballots were cast.
-- Huckabee = 65 -- McCain = 70 -- Ron Paul = 9 Romney = 2 -- Thompson = 2

In 2004 Bush voters showed up 2 to 1 in favor of Bush. 326 - 168

It just looks like to me fewer Republicans came out to vote on March 4th and Democratic voters stayed about the same. Most of the Republicans who switched to a Democratic ballot were elderly women. Which goes along with the idea that older women are more supportive of Clinton. Of the 93 votes cast for Clinton, I'd guess 5 or 6 were cast by an elderly Republican woman who jumped her party.

About that middle name

What is it about our middle name? Do you like yours? Even though mine isn’t all that bad I don’t like folks to use it. I’d rather be known by my front name or my first two initials. My sister, Norma, shortened my name to JB when I was a kid. My three sisters were given original names that mom thought up just for them. My first and middle name came from two of my father’s sisters. Since I was her 4th daughter, maybe mom thought it was time to honor her sister-in-laws. I was the only daughter my mother named after a family member.

Hillary Clinton seems to be trying to turn her former last name into a middle name. I guess she will drop the one her parents gave her. Diane. Hillary Diane Clinton, that sounds pretty, but the acronymn HDC sounds like a government agency or a contagious disease. HRC sounds better, even if those initials bring a risque series of words to my mind. HRC wouldn’t like it if she knew what I was thinking.

Barack’s mother gave him a middle name that must have been meant to honor his ancestors. His acronymn, BHO, sounds like one of those new fangled burgers you eat at the organic restaurant. Beef, horseradish and onion in a sourdough wrap. Weather Barack would eat it or not I haven’t a clue. His mother probably wasn’t thinking about acronymns when she gave him his name.

Which brings me to my point. Barack's mother, may she rest in peace, gave him his name. He didn’t have a say in the matter. I guess he could have changed it when he grew up, but why should he do that? His name honors his ancestry. Why shouldn’t he be allowed to keep that connection alive?

Whats going on now, with conservatives trying to bring dishonor to the Obama name is exactly why I think all conservatives should be voted out of office. conservatives are mean spirited and hateful people. They don’t believe in bipartisan governing. They don’t believe in the words you will always see at the top of my webpage.
Don’t ever forget that.


02/29 UPDATE
For a Somewhat Different Viewpoint: Read also, by Nathan Thornburgh on TIME.com Why Is Obama's Middle Name Taboo?

Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA)

It is a good thing the Democrats are trying to do here. Republicans have used sexual orientation as a way to intimidate their fellow Members for too long. The Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) would protect everyone, even members of the House and Senate. Churches and the military would be exempt. I can't quite figure out how the Democrats will get it passed in the Senate though. After all, Republicans use sexual orientation the way Joe McCarthy used communism. (I was delighted when Senator Larry Craig decided to stand up to the bullies who demanded his resigination.)

News I've been reading on this subject:

House Narrowly Passes Workplace Nondiscrimination Bill The Gate: National Journal.com

House Leaders mull next step on anti-discrimination measure The Hill

Freshman Democrats kill transgender amendment The Hill

Pelosi: ENDA an Historic Step Toward the Ideal of Equality PR Newswire

Majority's ENDA Takes Dead Aim at Religious Freedom Earthtimes Press Release

House passes anti-gay bias bill United Press International

US House passes bill protecting gay workers from discrimination JURIST - University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Gay Rights Group Supports Job Bias Ban The Associated Press

What I learned from Larry Craig’s Troubles

Republicans have gone and done it again. In a rush to judgment the Republican leadership have piled on the bandwagon they believe will lead them away from tarnation and into a promise land packed with appreciative voters.
Some who piled on were: Mitt Romney, Mitch McConnell, John McCain, and John Ensign
Dwindling Support
GOP lawmakers, hoping to get the embarrassment to the party behind them quickly, stripped Craig of leadership posts on Wednesday,

I just read Larry Craig’s biography in the 2006 Almanac of American Politics. I have to say, there isn’t much I agree with Craig about. He voted Against too many issues I would have voted For and he voted For too many issues I would have voted Against. But that doesn’t matter now. The man was railroaded by members of his own political party.

Exactly what did Sen. Craig do wrong? Nothing in Code Matches Craig Conduct

Police Release Audio of Senators Arrest

Sen. Arlen Specter, said on “Fox News Sunday” he thinks Craig ought to try to vindicate himself. "I'd like to see him fight the case because I think he could be vindicated." Also, Sen. Specter thinks Craig has left himself an opening because he used the word “intend” and not “will” when he talked about his resignation plans.
As in:
‘I intend to resign’
and not
‘I will resign’

There is a big difference when you think about it.

The Republicans have gone and done the same thing Craig did when he pled guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct. Apparently, Craig thought he could plead guilty and get on with his life. So too, the Republicans seem to be thinking the same way, that the story will end when Craig resigns.

The Republican leadership are partly right. The story might end for some of the voters. But will the story end for the voters who see this as an example of the Republicans piling on one of their own? What about the moderate voters who see this as another example of how bigoted and intolerant the Republicans really are. Will the story end there for voters who try to live their lives as if they were NOT the judge and jury? Just how warm and fuzzy will members feel after watching their leaders, infused with self-righteous indignation, thrash and berate a fellow who earned a 96 rating from the American Conservative Union and a big fat zero from the League of Conservation Voters in 2004?

Well, one thing is certain, June 11 will never be just another day for Larry Craig.

What did I learn from all this?

1. Next time I have to use a public restroom, never, no matter what, ask the woman in the next stall to please pass me some toilet paper.

2. IF for some reason I don’t follow my own good advice, I should remember to never reach past my side of the stall wall for the needed toilet paper.

3. Never make eye contact with any woman in a public restroom.

To read more:
GOP touts swift action on Craig

Featured Links Craig: Roll Call - Background - Report - Statement

How much is too much?

Newt Gingrich doesn't exactly have a sterling reputation. But he seems to be tarnish-proof among his conservative pals. I doubt this news story will hurt him if he decides to run for President in '08. Birds of a feather will gather together and all that.
Gingrich's ideas benefit contributors Yahoo News By Libby Quaid, Associated Press Writer Sunday June 10, 2007

Joseph Addison said:
A man should always consider how much he has more than he wants, and how much more unhappy he might be than he really is.

Are you a conservative Republican?

if you watched the Fox Network Republican Debate and thought all the applause was coming from the audience in the room.
you might be a conservative Republican.

if you believe only top tier candidates should be given an opportunity to answer every question (applies to Democratic debates too) and you don’t mind having the media decide who the top tier candidates are.
you might be a conservative Republican.

if you would feel shame to be called a moderate on any issue.
you might be a conservative Republican.

if your position on any issue promotes your own self-interest.
you might be a conservative Republican.

if you believe the best way to achieve your goals is by using fear, loathing and disinformation and paranoia.
you might be a conservative Republican.

if you believe that torture is an OK method to get information.
you might be a conservative Republican.

if you believe no war is wrong if its long.
you might be a conservative Republican.

if you believe the U. S. government should clear a secure path for your business anywhere in the world.
you might be a conservative Republican.

if you believe the government’s only purpose is to support business.
you might be a conservative Republican.

if you believe the only good reason to collect taxes is to pay for a war.
you might be a conservative Republican.

if you are more concerned about your neighbors sex life than your own.
you might be a conservative Republican.

if you think abortion should be a private decision and make it clear you won’t support your position on the record.
you might be a conservative Republican.

if a future that includes a viable Social Security program makes you want to curl up into a fetal position and weep uncontrollably.
you might be a conservative Republican.

And finally, everyone will know you are a conservative Republican if your hairdo can withstand 200MPH wind speeds and if you keep a comb in strategic locations like your desk drawer, your breast pocket, and your aide carries a comb for you.

How to score your answers:

if you believe fewer than 3 statements you are not two faced and selfish enough to call yourself conservative.

if you only believe 4 or 5 statements you still have too high of a value system to call yourself conservative.

if you believe 6 or more statements and sport a helmut-like hairdo you are conservative enough to be believable.

You're Fired, see you in 10 weeks

How's the world treating you today? Count yourself lucky if you are not one of the 3400 employees of Circuit City who were dismissed so the company could hire new workers at a lower wage.
Circuit City's plan to fire 3,400 will have ripple effects USA Today by Stephanie Armour

BTW the fired workers will be eligible for rehire in 10 weeks at the lower wage.

Market Watch Circuit City swings to loss By Angela Moore & Jennifer Waters

Reasons given for the fourth quarter market share loss:
falling prices in television sets,
changes in the television category
changes in the PC category."
higher energy prices
a lackluster housing market
and BINGO, they finally got it almost right,
weakening consumer confidence
they forgot to add:
in the decision making ability of Circuit City management.

Outsourcing

Fear of Offshoring by Alan S. Blinder Princeton University CEPS Working Paper No. 119 December 2005
Thanks to electronic communications and globalization, the future is likely to see much more offshoring of jobs in what I have called the impersonal services, that is, services that can be delivered electronically over long distance with little or no
degradation of quality.

Job Destruction Newsletter No. 1577 October 2006 article by Paul Craig Roberts

Hire America Against Outsourcing: Economists in Denial
Baltimore Chronicle February 21, 2007, by Paul Craig Roberts

CNNMoney.com S. Korea - U.S. Seek Trade Compromise

My Cattle.com South Korea, USA Upbeat on Free Trade Agreement Talks

BBC News.com Country profile: South Korea

Is it rigged? Is Ailes a racist? Or was it a joke?

Obama not riled.... one headline reads. San Francisco Chronicle by AP Writer Henry C. Jackson
(He ought to be angry.) Obama is too relaxed if this kind of remark doesn't rile him. Confirms my decision to retract my support. This will be Obama's wind surfing moment. Just wait and watch.

Another headline... Fox chief's word play from ABC News
(Word play??? what is that meant to get you thinking?) Ailes remark isn't a play on words. It is an out and out reference to racist attitudes and activities.

Steve Young on Huffington Post asks if Democrats don't get a joke....
(Don't you hate it when someone says something really mean and nasty to you and if you get upset, they try to back out of it by calling their words a joke and insult you one more time by telling you that you can't take a joke?)

John Edwards had his say March 7th, CBS News about a debate That's a rigged, unfair and unbalanced debate." "The Fox debate should just be canceled and a more legitimate news source should be found," MoveOn Civic Action spokesman Adam Green said.
I like John Edwards thinking on this. I really do.

Sunday, March 11th on Fox News with Chris Wallace

Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace
Mr. Wallace, used the first third of his hour interviewing actor and ex-Senator Fred Thompson who is "leaving the door open" to becoming a candidate for President 2008.
Another actor? Hardly. Thompson has built a strong political background. 1973 appointed chief Republican Counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee. Lawyer, Lobbyist. Confident speaking, workshirts and a red pick-up truck helped him win 1994 election to become Senator from Tennessee after Al Gore became Vice President. As Senator he voted for the Contract With America. Term Limits. Campaign Finance Reform. Was named to the Senate committee working on procedure for (Clinton) impeachment and voted not guilty on perjury and guilty on obstruction of justice. Backs Social Security reform which would put a percentage of payroll taxes in individual investment accounts.

Poltico by Mike Allen has more on Fred Thompson

Associated Press Writer Hope Yen On the issues, Thompson said

Should Democratic candidates cancel a debate YAHOO News because Fox News was the sponsor?
The faux fair and balanced roundtable discussion thinks not. In their opinion the Democratic Party is responding to a political organization. None of the roundtable participants had to courage to condemn Roger Ailes for his comments about Barack Obama, which implied that Obama should be hunted down like a terrorist. conservatives are such hateful people.

I say good for the Democratic Party. Thats more like it. It is high time conservatives started paying for their hate speech.

The government haters whine about fairness

How should the 110th Congress Democrat leadership set up rules of operation in the House?

I have no reason to think conservative republicans have changed - they still hate government and they still want to bring government to a screeching halt.

Democrat leadership should stand up for OUR government by not giving those who want to drown government in a bathtub the means to do so. conservative republicans do not deserve the opportunity to wreak more havoc on America, they have already done enough.

I say lock 'em out and wait for the voters in their home district to get the message that the Congress of the United States of America is not their private club.

Is the Foley "scandal" real?

From Yahoo News: "A senior congressional aide said Wednesday he told House Speaker Dennis Hastert's office about worrisome conduct by Rep. Mark Foley toward teenage pages more than three years ago, long before officials have acknowledged becoming aware of the issue"......more
Aide says he reported Foley 3 years ago

IF that is true, it might explain Foley's brazen IM identity ... the man used his initials and birth year for heavens sake.

What else explains maf54?

Foley didn't try to hide his identity and the only reason I can conjure is, he felt completely safe. He knew congressional leaders were aware of his activities and nothing happened to him. Or maybe not.

Something about this Foley "scandal" is delusory. I just don't think it is real. It is all too perfect. Maybe it is the USA TODAY report that said none of the IM's have been independently authenticated.

Maybe it is the fact that teenage boys are involved. Smart teenage boys.

Maybe it is knowing how easily an e mail identity can be used by an unauthorized person.

Maybe it is the speedy requests for resignations from conservative republicans and conservative news outlets. The Washington Times asked for Hastert's resignation October 3rd, four days after Foley resigned. Richard Viguerie was calling for Hastert's resignation October 2nd.

Maybe it is the sad appeal of Gerry Studds name being invoked by the Republicans, as if the Studds scandal would provide the R's a measure of absolution.

Or the irony of Gerry Studds being a descendent of the fifth vice-president, (Eldridge Gerry) who devised the first gerrymandered district.

Now, I'm back to the question "what else explains maf54?"

SAFE SEATS maybe? CQ Politics
Our nearly unelectable congress. Death, resignation, and jail terms defeat more Congressional members then the ballot these days.

SAFE SEATS = arrogance
SAFE SEATS = dictatorial
SAFE SEATS = authoritarian
SAFE SEATS = dogmatic
SAFE SEATS = imperious
SAFE SEATS = overbearing
SAFE SEATS = doctrinaire

Are we at this place at this time in our history because we have allowed two political parties to seize our elections by the use of gerrymandering? Is the monster under our bed our growing disgust because we let it get this bad? Are we afraid we can't fix it? I hope not, because

Boomers, we have to fix this before we go. You know that don't you?

Oct. 6 additional information
Drudge Report posted this item "Claim: Filthy Foley Online Chats Were Page 'Prank Gone Awry' on Oct. 5, 2006 22:01:25 ET

Are conservative republicans tax slackers in suits?

Is a mega-disaster in our future? IF we keep electing conservative republicans we won't be able to avoid the disaster their ideology would bring into being. See their response to the Katrina disaster for a good example. The part of the government not identified as conservative like the Coast Guard and National Guard did a good job. The conservative wing like Homeland Security FEMA leadership and our President... forget about it.

Boomers, the conservative's deceptively alluring appeal to keep taxes low will not sustain the needs of our country. It is meaningless gabble. The conservatives want power. And they find votes using this spin.

We can not keep ignoring the needs of our country. We need to rebuild and/or replace our infrastructure - the basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society.

Here in Ohio we have a good example of how a conservative republican would respond to our Transportation needs. Ken Blackwell, the conservative republican candidate for Governor would sell the maintenance contract for our Ohio Turnpike to a company in Australia if he is elected.

Why? his conservative ideology. Heck, if he repaired the Turnpike with Ohio dollars, that would cause a turnpike fee increase. And that is the same as raising taxes. And he can't do that because it would take a dollar out of his pocketbook and the pocketbook of all his rich buddies who use the Turnpike.

So what is Blackwell's solution? Delegate. Just like their leader, President Bush, delegate the responsibility, push it off on the other guy. Push it forward to the next generation or two. Send it out of the country if you have to. Do whatever it takes to keep those taxes low, even if it means you allow American jobs to move offshore so the corporations will pay lower taxes.

Slacker-gab has been deciding our country's future and it is time for it to stop.